* "The Balloon" (1968): This story satirizes the absurdity of bureaucracy and the bureaucratic mindset. It follows a character who is obsessed with a balloon, and the story's humor comes from the way he overthinks and overanalyzes every aspect of the balloon.
* "The Joker" (1968): This story satirizes the American Dream and the pursuit of success. It follows a man who is always trying to get ahead, but he is ultimately unsuccessful.
* "The School" (1972): This story satirizes the education system, particularly the way in which schools often stifle creativity and individuality.
* "The Indian Uprising" (1972): This story satirizes the American West and the myth of the frontier. It follows a group of Indians who are forced to relocate to a reservation, and the story's humor comes from the way in which they are treated as objects rather than people.
* "The Sandman" (1975): This story satirizes the anxieties and fears of modern life. It follows a man who is plagued by nightmares and insomnia, and the story's humor comes from the way in which he is unable to escape from his own thoughts.
How does Barthelme use satire in these stories?
* Exaggeration and absurdity: Barthelme often takes everyday situations and exaggerates them to the point of absurdity. This highlights the flaws and contradictions in our society.
* Wordplay and puns: He uses language in a playful and ironic way, often using puns and other wordplay to create humor and subvert expectations.
* Subversion of traditional narratives: Barthelme challenges traditional story structures and conventions, often using fragmentation, non-linearity, and unreliable narrators to create a sense of disorientation and satire.
* Black humor: He often uses dark humor to deal with serious topics like death, war, and alienation. This type of humor can be both unsettling and thought-provoking.
Barthelme's satire is often subtle and layered, requiring the reader to think critically and question the assumptions of our society. He forces us to confront the absurdity and hypocrisy of our world, even as he makes us laugh.